National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) celebrated its 13th Convocation, marking another significant milestone in the University's journey of academic excellence, socially relevant research, institutional innovation, and leadership in legal education.
The ceremony was graced by Justice B.V. Nagarathna, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Visitor of NLU Delhi, and Chief Guest; Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the High Court of Delhi and Chancellor, NLU Delhi; Justice Tejas Karia, Judge, High Court of Delhi; and Justice Rajiv Shakdher, Former Chief Justice of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh. The occasion was also attended by distinguished judges, eminent jurists, senior academic leaders, members of the University's statutory bodies, faculty, staff, graduating scholars, and their families.
Welcoming the dignitaries and the graduating Class of 2026, Prof. (Dr.) G.S. Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor, NLU Delhi, described the Convocation as not merely a ceremony for the conferment of degrees, but a transition from academic preparation to professional responsibility. He urged the graduates to safeguard their integrity, remain intellectually curious, and use their legal education to strengthen institutions and serve society. Emphasising the larger purpose of the legal profession, he reminded students that, "Law gives you a profession. Justice gives that profession a purpose."
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chancellor, NLU Delhi, formally declared the Convocation open and conferred degrees upon the graduating scholars.
A total of 132 scholars were awarded degrees across the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) and Ph.D. programmes, comprising 124 undergraduate degrees and eight doctoral degrees. Academic excellence and other distinguished achievements were recognised through the presentation of 24 medals and five cash prizes. The Best Student Awards for the year were conferred upon Ms. Anushka Satya and Ms. Mudrika Aggarwal.
Delivering the Convocation Address, Justice B.V. Nagarathna urged the graduates to approach the legal profession as a public trust rooted in constitutional values, ethics, and service. She emphasised that lawyers must combine professional competence with integrity, sound judgment, and social responsibility. Highlighting the growing relevance of mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution, she encouraged young lawyers to become effective problem-solvers and to look beyond purely adversarial approaches to legal disputes.
Justice Nagarathna also cautioned students against uncritical dependence on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and stressed the importance of verifying legal authorities and avoiding reliance on fake or hallucinated judgments. She underlined that while technology may transform legal research and drafting, human judgment, professional independence, ethical responsibility, and commitment to the rule of law remain indispensable.
The ceremony concluded with congratulations to the Class of 2026, with NLU Delhi reaffirming its commitment to nurturing legal professionals and scholars guided by justice, integrity, constitutional morality, professional excellence, and service to society.